31.03.2009 Ales Bialiatski: ‘Currently, the Belarusian society is constrained by repressive legislation’

Shortly after the Nasha Viasna constituent congress on 29 March, the NGO’s Chair Ales Bialiatski commented on the underlying reasons for another attempt to obtain state registration. ‘In fact, there has been a continuous process: on the one hand, we have not appealed the refusal by the Ministry of Justice yet. On the other hand, we have held another constituent congress on 29 March to draw up one more application to the Ministry of Justice. The decision is closely connected to the extremely low amount of impartial considerations of similar refusals by the Supreme Court. One can count them on the fingers of one hand – the organizations that managed to protect their rights at the Supreme Court.

31.03.2009 Union of Poles addresses General Prosecutor’s Office

The Union of Poles in Belarus has addressed the General Prosecutor’s Office with an appeal to investigate into the facts of fomenting of national hatred by the BT state-owned TV channel. In its coverage of the 15 March Congress of the Union in Hrodna, the channel ‘insulted the dignity of the Union members, by saying that the Congress declared that ‘the Poles are a superior race’, which is not true.

31.03.2009 Nasha Viasna helds congress

On 29 March, the Belarusian Popular Front’s central office hosted another constituent congress of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization, attended by its 82 representatives from all over the country. As a result of the congress, the human rights activists voted for the formation of the NGO, its charter and the action program. They also elected the governing bodies of the organization, including its Board, Chairperson and the auditing committee.

31.03.2009 “Young Front” activists, kidnapped by secret services on March 25, filed complaint to prosecutor’s office

“Young Front” activists Nasta Palazhanka and Dzyanis Karnou filed a complaint to the Frunzenski district prosecutor’s office at their kidnapping on March 25.

It should be reminded that some hours before the demonstration on Freedom Day, Nasta Palazhanka and Dzyanis Karnou were detained by militia officers. The young people were taken out of Minsk and left in a forest near the road.

31.03.2009 “Young Front” activists, kidnapped by secret services on March 25, filed complaint to prosecutor’s office

“Young Front” activists Nasta Palazhanka and Dzyanis Karnou filed a complaint to the Frunzenski district prosecutor’s office at their kidnapping on March 25.

It should be reminded that some hours before the demonstration on Freedom Day, Nasta Palazhanka and Dzyanis Karnou were detained by militia officers. The young people were taken out of Minsk and left in a forest near the road.

31.03.2009 Officials in regions pressing on BCD activists

Local officials in regions continue pressing upon participants of the foundation congress of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party (BCD)held in Minsk a month ago.

About 25 people, faced threats to be fired for membership in the party, have appealed to the party administration, Radio Racyja reports.

Dzyanis Khabirau from Polatsk has already been fired. BCD activists Kazimir Varonka and Tatsyana Klimentsyeva from Myory are under threat of dismissal.

31.03.2009 UK Foreign Ministry: Human rights situation in Belarus remains poor

The United Kingdom included Belarus in the list of 20 countries where serious violations of human rights can be noticed.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK (FCO) issued an annual report on human rights, Radio Svaboda reports.

The report gives special attention to 20 countries of concern, where, according to the British Government, violations of human rights are very serious. Belarus is among these countries.

31.03.2009 Youth leader Ivan Shyla refused the right to education

Leader of the Salihorsk branch of “Young Front” Ivan Shyla, who didn’t complete secondary education and was forcefully drafted into the army, has been refused the right to education.

Father of the young man wrote to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus asking to allow his son to take a final exam for secondary school and received a negative answer, the website saligorsk.org writes.